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Anyone ever built a dual 3 string, tuned Gg-Bb-Ee?

Posted by Diane in Chicago on April 28, 2013 at 9:46pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I just tuned up an instrument for a servicemember to GBE by request -- which is something I've never tried before and wow!  So many chords, so handy!

It is a 3 string, but now I've a mind to try it with dual strings, tuned in octave pairs.

I've done that with 151 tunings (Dd-Aa-dd' for instance) but not with the GBE.

Am I a pioneer?  I bet not.

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Replies

  • David McQueen April 29, 2013 at 9:37pm
    I did a 12 string, standard tuning, and a 6 string last summer.

    There are tables of string tensions on the net. A four string with light accoustic strings is coming in at about 125 pounds. A 6 string with light electric strings on the other hand is only at about 90 pounds tension. The twelve string is at about 250 pounds.
    For the six and twelve strings I burried a 1/2" x 1/8" steel flatbar in the neck. They are still going. It actually works well,as the flat bar was,just a bit smaller than a saw kerf.

    image.jpg

  • Diane in Chicago April 29, 2013 at 8:52am

    I had cut some "overseas grade" necks  which are thicker than my usual, and I'd bet they could handle the 6 strings. Plus they are only 19" scale, so that should help with warp-resistance.

    Yes, I think that, plus the Klezmitar and the Pentatonitar will be the summer projects.

  • Clock The Wolf April 29, 2013 at 12:57am

    Smokestack Guitars has built several double course instruments... 3 and 4 courses. Someone's probably used standard GBE tuning... He's got lots of pics and vids up!

  • RTZGUITARS April 29, 2013 at 12:31am

    I have seen a few I think Jason at Highwood guitars had one don't know the tuning. I will be building a mandolin soon.     Fun fun

  • The Phrygian Kid April 28, 2013 at 10:40pm
    It's the top half of guitar tuning, so I'd say that's why the guy asked for it. It's first inversion of an Em triad (I suspect you knew that)
    The major 3rd from g->b is an uncommonly close interval on stringed instruments, where you'd usually expect fourths or fifths. Sounds interesting, Certainly easily accessible to guitar players who've only ever messed in standard tuning.
  • Clock The Wolf April 28, 2013 at 10:02pm

    Well, the Tres Cubano guitar is a double course instrument tuned Gg-cc-eE (G Major), which is close...

    • The Phrygian Kid > Clock The Wolf April 28, 2013 at 10:47pm
      Actually c major, g major is gbd :)
      • Clock The Wolf > The Phrygian Kid April 28, 2013 at 11:14pm

        Yeah, I know. Stupid typing fingers...

This reply was deleted.